Turkey foils terrorist attack during ANZAC commemorations in Gallipoli
Turkish authorities have arrested a suspected Islamic State member they believe was planning to attack a World War One commemoration at Gallipoli attended by hundreds of Australians and New Zealanders.
The suspect, a Syrian national, was detained in Tekirdag, a north-western province close to the Gallipoli peninsula, a Tekirdag police spokesman said.
Every year, Australians and New Zealanders travel to Turkey for memorial services on April 25 commemorating the failed 1915 military campaign by ANZAC and allied forces to drive Ottoman troops from Gallipoli and the Dardanelles region.
There was a bit of controversy as this year Turkish nationals were banned from attending the memorial service.
Australia’s veterans’ affairs minister has defended a ban on Turkish nationals attending the Anzac Day dawn service on the Gallipoli peninsula.
Darren Chester said Turkey was closely monitoring the safety of Australians at commemorative events amid heightened security fears ahead of ANZAC Day on Thursday.
